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JOURNAL OF THE CONVENTION

into the visible fold ; and it is our office, also, to admit them to a
participation of its privileges ; having taught them, it is our duty to
baptize them, and to seal thereby unto them, the promises of forgive-
ness of sin, and adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost.

Becoming thus the children of God by faith in Christ, through the
operation of the Holy Ghost, they are intrusted to our care to be
nourished and brought up for Christ. As pastors of His flock, we are
to warn them against the "rudiments of the workd," and feed them
with "the sincere milk of the word ;" "daily reading and weighing
the Scriptures, that we may wax riper and stronger in our ministry,"
and "become faithful and wise stewards, able to give them their por-
tions in due season."

By taking heed to ourselves, beloved brethren, and to the ministry
which requires us thus to watch for the souls of those committed to
our care, dispensing to them diligently the comfortable sacrament of
the body and blood of Christ,---that precious pledge of His love, and
memorial of his death, we may hope to promote "an agreement in the
faith," to fulfil the work we have been commissioned to perform, and
to save sourselves and those who hear us.

From this brief view of the work before us, many particulars sug-
gest themselves as necessary to its accomplishment. Besides the
preparation of our own minds and hearts, by diligent study, and
earnest calling upon God for the enlightening and sanctifying influ-
ences, of His Holy Spirit ; parishes are to be organized, and compe-
tent men sought for, whose attainments, zeal, and piety, shall fit them
for aiding us in the wok of the ministry.

Such men, we may scarecely hope to find willing to come among
us from abroad, in sufficient numbers to supply our immediate wants ;
we must, therefore, mainly rely on raising them up from among our-
selves. God has given us a work to perform ; and doubtless, if we be
faithful, He will supply the instruments necessary for its accom-
plishment.

With regard to enactments for the regulation of our ecclesiactical
affairs, it may be unnecessary to observe that, for a diocese so recent-
ly organized, our wants of necessity are few and simple. Such as
may be required, I doubt not your wisdom and prudence, under the
guidance of the great Head of the Church, will adequately supply.

Commending you to His Grace,

I am, faithfully,

Your Brother in Christ.

LEONIDAS POLK.

New Orleans(italics), January 20th, 1842.

Mr. Duncan, the Secretary of the Standing Committee, reported, that
the action of that Committee, during the past year, had been limited
to the call of the Special Convention.

On motion,
The Rev. Mr. Lewis, and the Hon. Thomas Butler, were appoint-
ed a nominating committee, to nominate members of the Standing
Committee for the following year.---The Committee having retired,

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33

OF LOUISIANA, 1842

shortly returned, and reported the names of the following gentlemen,
who were unanimously elected :

Rev. Dr. Wheaton, Mr. L. Matthews,

Rev. Mr. Goodrich, Mr. C. Harrod,

Rev. Mr. Burke, Mr. L. C. Duncan.

The President then called upon the Rectors of the several Churches
for their parochial reports ;---whereupon the following reports were
presented, read, and ordered to be placed{italics} on{italics} the{italics} Journal{italics} :

PAROCHIAL REPORTS.

From Christ Church, New Orleans :---The Rector of Christ Church, New Orleans, reports as follows:

Baptisms, (adults 2, infants 44,) 46 ;---Marriages, 21 ;---Funerals, 75 ;---Commu-
nicants, about 150 ;---Sunday Scholars, about 70.

In regard to the number of Communicants, the Rector is still unable to present
any other than a vague report ; and repeated endeavours to make out an accurate
list have satisfied him of the inutility of the attempt, in a population so fluctuating
and uncertain. The above is given simply as an approximation towards the
truth.

The increase in number of interments over those of the preceding year---an
increase of from 15 to 75---would alone be sufficient to mark the past season as
one of visitation by the pestilence.

The benefits of the Sunday School are still confined principally to the children
of the parish ; the zealous endeavors of the teachers to bring within their sphere
the children most needing religious instruction having met with little success.

Large contributions have been required of our citizens to alleviate the distress
occasioned by the epidemic. Of this burthen, the members of the parish, it is be-
lieved, have taken their full share, as well as in the contributions for other benevo-
lent purposes.

N. S. WHEATON, Rector.

From St. Paul's Church, New-Orleans.

The Rector of the parish of St. Paul's has to report to the Convention the con-
tinued and increasing prosperity of the church and congregation committed to his
spiritual oversight.

The following ecclesiastical services have been rendered since the last meeting
of the Convention, viz. :

Baptisms, (adults 1, infants 21,) 22 ;--Funerals, 3 ;---Marriages, 4 ;---Present
number of Communicants, 46 ;---(removed 9, died 4, added 14 ;)---Number of
Scholars connected with the Sunday School, 124 ;---Teachers, 19.

The following contributions have been made by the congregation during the
past year :

To Bible, Tract, and Missionary Societies, . . . $365 00

To other Benevolent objects, . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 00

Towards the payment of the Church Debt, . . . . 400 00
---------------
Total, . . . $994 00

A Female Benevolent Society for the Relief of the Destitute Poor of the City,
was organized in the spring of the year, and has been ever since in a course of suc-
cessful operation.

The Rector would not fail to notice at this time the liberality of the Consistory
of the French Evangelical Church of New Orleans, who, at the instance of L. C.
Duncan, Esq., have nobly released the parish from a debt of $500, contracted two
or three years ago, by the purchase of the organ, formerly used in the worship of the
French Church.

C. GOODRICH, Rector of St. Paul's.

From Grace Church, St. Francisville.

Baptisms, (infants 24, adults 3,) 27 ;---Marriages, 5 ;---Interments, 8 ;---Commu-
nicants (added 5, removed 1,) 30 ;---Sunday Scholars, about 50 ;---Teachers 9 ;---
Collections for Missionary Society, and other objects, $175.

In reviewing the period of his connexion with this parish, the Rector feels that
he has much to encourage him, and much to be thankful for. The attendance
upon public worship has steadily increased ; and the forms and doctrines of the
Church are evidently becoming better understood and appreciated. Through the

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